Details about when the remaining stores will shut down were not disclosed in the filing. A company spokeswoman had no comment.

At the time of its bankruptcy filing the store had 14,500 employees, nearly two-thirds of whom were part time.

When Sports Authority was bought by a hedge fund 10 years ago, it was the largest sporting goods retailer. But it has struggled with the debt load associated with that leveraged buyout a decade ago. It has been overtaken by Dick's Sporting Goods,(DKS) a more high end retailer.

"Someone who wants to shop in a brick-and-mortar store and try on the baseball glove, or get the feel of a golf club, wants a better shopping experience," said Larry Perkins, of SierraConstellation Partners, an expert in retail reorganizations. "That's not Sports Authority any more."

Sports Authority is just the latest retail giant to fall on hard times.

RadioShack went bankrupt a year ago, and American Apparel(APPCQ)filed in October, although both companies remain in business with fewer stores. But even retailers who are not in financial distress are closing their weaker performing stores. Among chains trimming locations are Walmart(WMT), Macy'(M)s, Kohl's(KSS), Target(TGT), Sears(SHLD) and Kmart.